Antigua and Barbuda has given a ringing endorsement to the Belt and Road
Initiative, the key foreign policy platform being promoted by President Xi Jinping
of the People’s Republic of China.
The endorsement is contained in remarks made by Health and Environment
Minister, Sir Molwyn Joseph at the 3 rd Belt and Road Forum for International
Cooperation now taking place in China.
According to Sir Molwyn, the BRI seeks to usher in a major transformation in the
world, as it would place development at the feet of all nations. He said since it was
first launched, it has gone through changes that will benefit all nations equally.
“The BRI has evolved and it has given hope to all nations that prosperity will not
be located in only certain geographical areas on our planet; prosperity will become
the common experience of all people irrespective of their geography or all nations
irrespective of their size,” he remarked.
The health and environment minister reaffirmed that Antigua and Barbuda
welcomes the bold initiatives as highlighted by President Xi at the opening of the
conference.
“We welcome these initiatives as they are people centered, initiatives
that will embrace the partnership and solidarity among nations or among the family
of nations, the building of platforms that would result in the modernization of all
nations, the transfer of technologies, the sharing of experience, and the sharing of
wealth. This was the message that was delivered by the president,” Sir Molwyn
noted.
The senior minister outlined that Caribbean states have been working on models of
development that fit their particular circumstances.
He expressed the view that
trade among regional states would be strengthened by the plans detailed by
President Xi.
Speaking more specifically about Antigua and Barbuda, Sir Molwyn explained that
one of the major roadblocks to development has been the unavailability of capital
for investment.
However, he sees the BRI as a ready source of capital to jumpstart
that development.
“The BRI has brought funding and financial arrangements that allow for greater
opportunities for our people. For example, the financial resources that have flowed
from China have allowed for the building out of infrastructure to include the new
airport terminal and the recent upgrade of the St. John’s Harbour,” he declared.
He added that the BRI has evolved in another important way; that is the ‘greening’
of the initiative. This, he explained is important, as it seeks to ensure that
conditions on the planet that guarantee health and safety of humanity are preserved
for generations to come.
Antigua and Barbuda signed the BRI agreement in 2018, becoming the first OECS
country, and the second country in the Caribbean (behind Trinidad and Tobago) to
join the initiative. More than 155 countries have since signed up to be part of the
BRI.
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He who pays the piper calls the tune. China paid the piper in this case.
What has Molwyn given up to acquire funding for these vague initives?
Molwyn Stop pissing in us and telling us it’s raining.
The Belt and Road Initiative real story is much different than what being promoted here.
Chinese investment has nearly become a euphemism for wasteful spending, environmental destruction corruption, overpriced projects which results in untenable debt.
Many major projects are currently strewn around the world in half-finished disrepair and the opportunities that were sold to local populations rarely materialized.
Like Antigua and Barbuda a large portion of these deals were being made with countries that had credit ratings classified as “junk.
Molwyn says: “greater
opportunities for our people. For example, the financial resources that have flowed.”
First thing the the Chinese self perform the majority of the work, and they pay their Chinese workers 15% of what a local worker gets for similar jobs while charging us market rates.
All the financial resources that have flowed to locals goes to companies fronting for Ministers.
High interest Chinese debt is like an albatross around our necks.
China will own Antigua and the 155 nations if the they don’t pay in time. 😧
That is the part that they are not saying.
Gaston injected himself into the SMS bi-elections making it a referendum on his leadership.
The election puppeteer, Ron Saunders
as an old newspaper man is advising the entire ABLP machine to get out early with their public relations campaign with feel good stories of what the ABLP has done.
Unfortunately they choose a feel good story whose implications are dire for the future of Antigua and Barbuda
While the US EU UK and Israel advance lectures, sanctions, wars, genocide, ethnic cleansing, colonialism, oppression on the rest of the World China is advance development.
BRICS is the alternative for the IMF, World Bank and G7, the new world order is happening, and it is not be, you will own nothing and be happy, that Klaus Schwab and the WEF are planning.
A caution to my country’s leaders. You would reap what you have sown.My hope is the people of the Nation would not suffer the consequences from your decisions.
only a matter of time here on Antigua. Chinese loan money comes with some pretty interesting small print……https://www.thenationalnews.com/world/asia/sri-lanka-hands-over-port-to-china-to-pay-off-debt-1.684606
The US UK EU and Israel promote Sanctions, Wars, Genocide, Ethnic cleansing, oppression, Colonialism, China promotes development, it is all in front of us.
Someone said China is wasting money, would you rather see monies be wasted in development of countries, or wars and genocide?
BRICS is the alternative for the IMF, World Bank and G7, the new World order is happening, and it is not what Klaus Schwab and the World Economic Forum are planning, we are not going to own nothing and be happy.
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